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Genzler Amplification Club
- Thread starter Discount Saint
- Start date
I love my Mg800 but the one thing that confuses the crap out of me is, why do the speakers outputs not mute when headphones are plugged in...
Maybe I'm just crazy, but when I plug headphones in it's because I don't want my cabs on so I can practice in silence.
I know I can unplug the cabs, but that just gets annoying to unplug them off and on (and obviously every time wear-and-tear).
Anyone ever seen/make a speakon input/output footpedal that connects/disconnects?
Maybe I'm just crazy, but when I plug headphones in it's because I don't want my cabs on so I can practice in silence.
I know I can unplug the cabs, but that just gets annoying to unplug them off and on (and obviously every time wear-and-tear).
Anyone ever seen/make a speakon input/output footpedal that connects/disconnects?
Jeff Genzler
Commercial User
- Feb 9, 2007
- 1,819
- 11,893
- Disclosures
- Currently GENZLER AMPLIFICATION / Formerly GENZ BENZ
@Sonicblaze -- thank you for using our MG-800. I can comment on your concern and sorry that this is a source of frustration for your needs.
This feature you're describing is only found in small low power practice combos. In order to have the headphone operation disconnect the speaker outputs you would be running the total power of the amplifier through the headphone jack and that is note a good idea above 25 watts or so. That would not be a safe design.
I can't think of any 50W amp or more that has that feature of disconnecting the speaker outs when inserting phones into the headphone jack.
I have seen some designs that introduce a special on/off switch on the rear panel for the speaker out but that is also a source of concern for some if it is inadvertently turned off. That would take a special heavy-duty switch. I think we did that years ago on a GB design for a combo and we constantly had people on the showroom floor turning it off and then the next person testing it thinks they have a dead amp. That was frustrating!!
Actually, on the MG-800 you really don't need to remove the speakon cable from the speaker output, you can just unlock and twist it to disconnect the signal to the speaker ---- leaving it plugged in loose in the jack.
And I would not recommend placing any type of speaker On/Off switch in line to a cabinet for this function either. It would need to be a specific type and you would not want to introduce a short or grounding issue in the speaker output chain to the cabinet. That could cause a potential fault at the Class D amp.
I hope this info is helpful.
Thanks Jeff, that was extremely helpful/informative! It definitely explains both sides of the problem, and I can see how a speaker-off switch would cause other users problems.
I guess the only other amp head I even had to compare it to was the TC Bam200, which does mute the speaker output with headphones plugged in. However they also apply a speaker cab sim to the headphone output, so I'm guessing its a dedicated secondary amp circuit or something which would solve the all-watts-to-your-headphones problem.
I didnt even realize my Mg800 still had the cabs on (my head phones are very isolating!) until my wife nicely informed me to be quiet
Either way still happy I switched to the Mg-800, unplugging speakers it is!
Simple solution.
But two.
One for gigs.
One for headphone practice.
You are welcome.
But two.
One for gigs.
One for headphone practice.
You are welcome.
Played with a singer/songwriter at the winery today on he patio.
Was almost too much rig. I had the gain at about 1 o’clock (where it usually is) and the master was at about 7 - 8 o’clock...barely on. 2 acoustic guitars and vocals in a small PA on sticks, a minimal drum kit (Kick/hat/snare/ride) and me.
Probably could have used the BA10-2 and been loud enough.
I haven’t had any interest in my sale ad for it.
Maybe I should just get another cradle and have both cabs as an option. Just swap the MG350 head between them.
Was almost too much rig. I had the gain at about 1 o’clock (where it usually is) and the master was at about 7 - 8 o’clock...barely on. 2 acoustic guitars and vocals in a small PA on sticks, a minimal drum kit (Kick/hat/snare/ride) and me.
Probably could have used the BA10-2 and been loud enough.
I haven’t had any interest in my sale ad for it.
Maybe I should just get another cradle and have both cabs as an option. Just swap the MG350 head between them.
Last edited:
I feel like the bad kid at school, talking back to the teacher…..but TC RH450 mutes the speaker output when the headphone jack is engage. It’s a neat feature.
I think it's a TC feature thing, multiple TC amps do that (like my Bam200 that I was comparing to, which is the only other amp I have to compare
)I have lead sheets on it. Was waiting for my wife to bring my stand. I forgot it at home.
Jeff gave his reasons and the compromises that would afflick his design if he included that feature.
Phil Jones makes a Headphone Amp 'Big Head' for $249 that also has an Aux input, output and has been praised for the quality of Sound and Construction.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Phil Jones makes a Headphone Amp 'Big Head' for $249 that also has an Aux input, output and has been praised for the quality of Sound and Construction.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Well at least the Magellan's don't require a speaker be connected to the unit while headphones are connected. Think my old SWR is like that.
This is a great piece of gear for practice. Sounds great, solid-quiet, Aux input remains true stereo (not summed) and has a great DA converter if used with a computer. I use mine a lot.
Mark
Would that also playback music? Just curious, as I use an old MOTU MicroBook to practice, and I plug my headphones and bass into it, usb in/out of computer, then I can play along with the songs I need to learn or practice. I also can do that with my Helix Stomp, but it's often packed into my gig stuff and a pain to get out. Of course, any interface will do this (focusrite, presonus, etc.) and I think it's a great way to practice without an amp.
It has an aux in 1/8” jack. I practice with a Big Head and take it everywhere with me.
Well built and functional.
